Doorstep trader fined for shoddy work in Selston

Elaine and George Holland from Selston who were ripped off by a rogue trader who laid them a sinking driveway. Pictured witht their new driveway.

Published:10:13Sunday 09 June 2013

A doorstep trader who carried out poor-quality work on driveways in Selston has been ordered to repay his victims and carry out unpaid community work.

Shane Hudson (27), of Wades Avenue in Nottingham, admitted four counts of unfair trading between November 2011 to February last year in a case put forward by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards.

At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Hudson was given a 150-hour community order and ordered to pay back £12,000 to four victims.

He must also attend a Thinking Skills course, which addresses thinking and behaviour connected to offending.

Hudson worked for a company called for Capital Drives which offered hard landscaping such as driveways and patios and mainly secured work through cold calling and leaflet dropping.

But the driveways were often of a poor design with inadequate drainage and foundations and used weak cement to hold the block paving together.

He also failed to give his customers the proper written cancellation rights that they were entitled to and claimed that the work was guaranteed for five years but failed to return to rectify problems with the driveways.

Jeff Addison (63), of Selston, agreed for Hudson to block pave his driveway and patio area which cost £4,900.

He has so far spent £500 to improve drainage on the patio but both the driveway and patio will need to be ripped up and redone.

He said: “I feel I’ve been completely taken for a ride. I’m no fool as I was once a salesman and a magistrate but I was completely taken in by his pressurised sales techniques.

“He came across as a professional as he had all the right equipment and an official looking van.”

He added that he will now investigate traders and ask to see their work

Hudson also carried out work for Jeff’s neighbour Elaine Holland (64) who paid £3,500 for a new tarmac drive which has had to be redone.

She said: “This has been very distressing for my husband who is 86 and not a well man. I have since used a well-known reputable company and I’m delighted with the end result.”

For consumer advice or to report a consumer problem call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.